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avatar

   Also found in: Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.02 sec.
av·a·tar  (v-tär)
n.
1. The incarnation of a Hindu deity, especially Vishnu, in human or animal form.
2. An embodiment, as of a quality or concept; an archetype: the very avatar of cunning.
3. A temporary manifestation or aspect of a continuing entity: occultism in its present avatar.

[Sanskrit avatra, descent (of a deity from heaven), avatar : ava, down + tarati, he crosses; see ter-2 in Indo-European roots.]

avatar [ˈævəˌtɑː]
n
1. (Non-Christian Religions / Hinduism) Hinduism the manifestation of a deity, notably Vishnu, in human, superhuman, or animal form
2. a visible manifestation or embodiment of an abstract concept; archetype
3. (Electronics & Computer Science / Computer Science) a movable image that represents a person in a virtual reality environment or in cyberspace
[from Sanskrit avatāra a going down, from avatarati he descends, from ava down + tarati he passes over]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.avatar - a new personification of a familiar idea; "the embodiment of hope"; "the incarnation of evil"; "the very avatar of cunning"
personification - a person who represents an abstract quality; "she is the personification of optimism"
deification - an embodiment of the qualities of a god; "the capitalists' deification of capital"
reincarnation - embodiment in a new form (especially the reappearance or a person in another form); "his reincarnation as a lion"
2.avatar - the manifestation of a Hindu deity (especially Vishnu) in human or superhuman or animal form; "the Buddha is considered an avatar of the god Vishnu"
Hindu deity - a deity worshipped by the Hindus
Translations
avatar [ˈævətɑːʳ] N [of deity] → avatar m
avatar
n (Rel, fig) → Inkarnation f


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
The Hindoo whale referred to, occurs in a separate department of the wall, depicting the incarnation of Vishnu in the form of leviathan, learnedly known as the Matse Avatar.
This is no furniture for the scholar's library, but a book for the winter evening school-room when the tasks are over and the hour for bed draws near; and honest Alan, who was a grim old fire-eater in his day has in this new avatar no more desperate purpose than to steal some young gentleman's attention from his Ovid, carry him awhile into the Highlands and the last century, and pack him to bed with some engaging images to mingle with his dreams.
Blood was its Avatar and its seal--the redness and the horror of blood.
 
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